Meteorologically Awesome

WQPT Storm Team morning report, "Good morning, everyone! Chief meteorologist James Zahara here with your Storm Team 8 Forecast. This is what I call a meteorologically awesome day!!"  Dang!  As we live and breath, a meteorologically awesome day is pretty much at the top of my weather expectations.

On this awesome day, I picked up a basket of fresh Michigan peaches from Prairie Country Gardens.  I will fast freeze some for my "fruit snacks". 

I've mentioned before:  This is where I take fresh blueberries, green seedless grapes, and other fruit (sometimes strawberries, peaches, pears, red seedless grapes, whatever is available), single layer on a cookie sheet, freeze, put in zip lock bags and back in freezer.  A great quick healthy snack.

Aside from some fresh fruit snacking, I think I'll try Paula Deen's "Sweet Georgia Peach Honey".  Georgia homemakers know peaches as I can verify from my mother-in-law's version of Peaches and Cream.  It's Georgia over-the-top on sweet and rich and simply heavenly.

Here's Paula's recipe:

Sweet Georgia Peach Honey

Servings: 6 pints

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients

12 cups fresh peaches with skins, pits removed and chopped (approximately 20 peaches)
1 large orange with rind, quartered and seeds removed
1 large lemon with rind, quartered and seeds removed
8 cups sugar
6 pint canning jars with lids, sterilized

Directions

Using a food processor or blender, puree the orange and lemon until smooth.  Add the peaches to the citrus mixture and pulse until smooth  (you may need to work in batches).  In a large saucepan, combine the peach and citrus mixture with the sugar.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.  When peach mixture is at a full boil, reduce heat to medium and cook until the mixture is the color and texture of honey (approx 1-2 hrs.)

Sterilize jars and lids directly before using for 10 minutes in simmering water or in the dishwasher.  Remove one at a time when ready to fill. 

While peach mixture is still hot, ladle into the hot sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top.  Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth and seal jars with lids and rings.  Process in a boiling water bath (making sure water level is 1 in. over the top of the jars) for 10 minutes.  Remove from water bath and allow to cool on the counter. 

Recipe Courtesy of Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine